Embrace Ramadan virtues, cleric urges Nigerians; Seeks FG action on security

The Waziri Kuliyyah of Ibadanland, Prof. Amidu Sanni, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the teachings of Ramadan by embracing good character, discipline, and compassion, stressing that such values are essential for responsible citizenship and the promotion of unity and social cohesion across the country.

Sanni, also called on the Federal Government to review the nation’s security architecture to meet contemporary demands to ensure security of life and property in the country.

Sanni, a former Chief Imam Lagos State University, gave the task and appeal in his 2026 Eid-el-Fitr message to Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos reports that, Nigerians on Thursday joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr feast to end the one-month long fasting and prayer period.

Sanni said that, “As we mark the end of another Ramadan fasting period, we thank the Almighty Allah for keeping us safe through the exercise and pray He accepts all our acts of devotion therein.

“We should also take the time to remember those who have passed on to the next world through natural death unprovoked wars, violence, or disasters.

“Unconditional Self-discipline by which one abstains from eating, drinking, intimacy with spouses, and immoralities during the day for a whole month without any security watch is the first lesson of Ramadan.

“The consciousness of God’s presence at all times and places which held us back from breaking the rules of Ramadan reinforces our belief in Him and prepares us for the greater sacrifice of keeping away from corruption and the things we’re not even entitled to in the first place. If we’re able to go through this for a whole month, it’s expected that the training should take us through more months before another Ramadan.

“Assistance to the poor and the vulnerable, attendance at soul-lifting lectures, among others have turned out to improve our spiritual and humanitarian profile and endear us to those who have benefitted from our acts of philanthropy.

“Those morals should be made a part of our daily lives as a tradition to better the society,” he said.

The cleric, decried surge in the killings in parts of the country, called on the Federal Government and others to restrategise the security to counter and nip in the bud security challenges.

He regretted the increase in violence, especially in the Northeast where both security personnel and civilians were being murdered deserves a robust and comprehensive approach to fighting organized and institutional crimes.

“I wish to appeal to the governments and the people of Nigeria to recalibrate our security system in order to ensure good living and development for all.

“We have all seen and experienced the fall out from the US-Israeli Iran war indicated by a higher cost of petroleum products, global economic disquilibrium, dislocation in social lives, and a deeper sense of renewed despair and desperation.

“The heightened political temperature arising from the race for the 2027 elections should be moderated with greater commitment to improving the lives of the people and enhance public trust in the politicians who have all but demonstrated a genuine interest in people’s welfare,”

He charged the newly appointed Nigerian ambassadors to foreign missions to work hard to improve the nation’s image to the world.

The increase in violence, especially in the Northeast where our security personnel and innocent civilians are being murdered deserves a more robust and comprehensive approach to fighting organized and institutional crimes.

He stressed that, “As we celebrate the Eid let’s remember to sustain the Ramadan and Lenten training outcomes of kindness, humility, love for all, and improved spiritual status.